By Joy Batteh-Freiha
As the recipient of the prestigious Gilman Scholarship in spring 2024, a U.S. Department of State scholarship program that provides students nationwide with opportunities to study abroad, ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ senior, Damien Jackson, added another “first” to his impressive achievements.
The 23-year-old Jacksonville area native, who is a Hicks Honors College student poised to graduate this spring, is the first in his family to attend college, the first to travel overseas and it was his first time flying.
A transfer student from Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), with a burning desire to travel abroad and experience a new culture, Jackson first learned about the opportunity to apply for the Gilman Scholarship after his initial meeting with Dr. TIffany Kershner, director of the Office of Fellowships with Hicks Honors College.
“When we met to speak about Honors requirements, Damien seemed very open to exploring opportunities outside his comfort zone,” said Kershner. “This is what we encourage in Honors. When I mentioned that many Honors students study abroad, he seemed eager to learn more. When the concern over finances came up, we discovered a perfect match with the Gilman Scholarship.”
Jackson was one of four students nationwide and one of two from ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ awarded the Gilman Scholarship in the fall of 2023. He and a group of Coggin College Business students traveled to Paris, France, during spring break in March 2024, and studied at the European Business School in Paris, France for a week.
“Traveling abroad for the first time and immersing myself in a different culture was an eye-opening and enriching experience,” said Jackson, whose trip was funded mostly by the Gilman Scholarship along with a Dean’s Discretionary scholarship through Hicks Honors College. “One of the things I noticed first was the difference in public transportation — how efficient and widely used. Also, experiencing a different business culture and even the currency was both exciting and challenging.”
Early beginnings and challenges
Initially, Jackson had no plans to attend college after high school. He spent a year and a half working in a grocery store, feeling restless and unfulfilled in spite of rising through the ranks. Encouraged by his parents to give college a try, he enrolled in online courses at FSCJ planning to major in finance with aspirations of becoming a financial planner.
While at FSCJ, Jackson’s curiosity piqued as he discovered the world of 3D printing. Fascinated by the technology, he learned everything he could about it and soon began tutoring other FSCJ students. His involvement and experience in 3D printing led to projects for the library and other departments on FSCJ campus and added a new dimension to his educational journey.
Assessing his next steps after earning his associate in arts degree, Jackson’s academic advisor informed him of scholarship opportunities at ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ and the possibility of double majoring in finance and financial planning. Motivated by the potential opportunities, he transferred to ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ in the fall of 2023. At the same time, he accepted a part-time job in the 3D printing lab at FSCJ South Campus — making his work and school life conveniently located in the same area of town.
Transferring as a junior at ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ, Jackson says he faced a seamless academic transition but a challenging personal one. At the time, he was living at home with his family on the Northside of Jacksonville but decided to move out for the first time to be closer to ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ and work at FSCJ Southside campus.
“Those initial days were rough,” said Jackson. “I would leave the house early to make it to work and school and came back home late which cut into my study time. But I made it work.”
At ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ, Jackson learned to adapt to in-person classes and thrived beyond his comprehension.
“It was a total culture shock for me to go from online only classes to in-person classes,” Jackson said. “My first friends were my professors and staff from Hicks. I cannot say enough about how attentive and helpful they were to me throughout my time at ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ but especially during the beginning.”
Academic Achievements and 3D Printing
Jackson said choosing to major in financial planning was easy — he likes face-to-face interaction and helping people with their financial needs.
“Personally, I have always loved helping others and giving back and that’s why I picked financial planning over accounting,” Jackson said. “It’s important to me to help my community in Jacksonville because it’s where I grew up in the person I am today. Being able to help those who helped shape me would be more than what I expected to accomplish in life.”
While at ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ, Jackson continued his hobby for 3D printing. While working on his capstone symposium with Dr. Denise Monti, who has since left ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ and is currently at Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Chevy Chase, Maryland, he mentioned his passion for the pioneering technology and Monti was intrigued.
“When I learned about Damien’s interest in 3D printing, the conversation turned to more about me seeking Damien’s expertise,” said Monti. “I had limited knowledge of 3D printing but was curious about the technology. Damien guided me on the resources we would need for the course and was able to walk me through different options for sourcing consumable and non-consumable materials.”
Monti said Jackson’s leadership instincts and his follow-through among other qualities, was apparent as he led a small group of students in the Introductory 3D printing class, helping them earn a 3D badge for their efforts, which afforded them access to the 3D lab without supervision.
“Damien is a humble leader with a gift for presenting himself and following through as a trusted person,” Monti said. “These qualities were evident as I watched him lead a small group of students in the Introductory 3D printing class. The students in the class had a variety of academic majors (e.g., engineering, nursing, business, biology) with wide-ranging interests. Damien artfully found meaningful ways to engage each student with the craft of 3D printing. When things didn’t go as planned, he supported students in troubleshooting at the level they sought to understand. He was masterful at balancing the roles of trusted mentor and friend."
Ronald Heymann, CFP, one of Jackson’s instructors who teaches financial planning and estate planning classes, said Jackson is one of the best all-around students who have ever passed through the Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Planning program at ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ, and recruited him to the leadership team of the Osprey Student Financial Planning Association.
“Damien is a tremendous leader,” said Heymann. “The BBA in Financial Planning program is extremely rigorous with ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ ranked among the top programs in the nation. Damien not only met the academic requirements of the major, but has pushed the envelope outside of the classroom, helping propel the Osprey financial planning program to new heights. His leadership efforts, commitment to the team, and vision for his professional future have strengthened not only his brand, but that of the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Financial Planning program and its alumni, as well.”
Heymann said Jackson has already set himself up for future success. “He has already made strong connections in the financial services industry in Jacksonville and with the Certified Financial Planning Board in Washington, D.C. He understands the power of giving back, whether it's his volunteer efforts leading the FPA, his work as ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ's ambassador to the CFP Board, or time and effort that he's spent on working with his fellow students. He’s charismatic and engaging, which complements his intelligence and intuitive nature, funny and quick to smile — round that out with a strong desire to excel and a work ethic not present in most students, one quickly realizes that Damien is going to succeed in his career.”
Career and Future Plans
³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ accounting and finance instructor Tara Showalter, JD, CFP, said Jackson is an exceptional “student of the industry” who is more than capable of reaching his goal of becoming a certified financial planner.
“Damien is one of those students who is a natural leader and takes the initiative to learn,” said Showalter. “He has the work ethic and good moral character to be in the industry for the right reasons — to help people while being held to a high standard of care and excellence. I had the honor of representing ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ at the Pershing conference where we took the top students to the conference, Damien was extremely professional, engaged, and made sure he got the most out of the experience by making connections and networking.”
In addition to his professors and instructors along the way, Jackson said the staff at ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ’s Career Services were instrumental in preparing him for his next steps.
“My professors and instructors introduced me to the resources available through Career Services,” said Jackson. “They guided me on my path to a financial planning major and helped me fine-tune my resume, too. I feel ready to tackle the world.”
Kershner said Jackson is a great role model for what a transfer student can do in two years at ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ and in the Honors program.
“Damien has undoubtedly excelled in his major and built in additional skills, such as cross-cultural communication through study abroad, writing proficiency through applying for a competitive fellowship, and teaching experience through the 3-D printing class he facilitated, skills he can lean on in his future business career. I can see Damien leading a board meeting for a multinational company in the future.”
Setting the Example
Jackson doesn’t take too lightly the important example he sets as the first in his family to graduate from college.
“My family is incredibly proud of my accomplishments, but I’m doing this as much for me as I am for my younger siblings and cousins,” Jackson said.
Guess what Ospreys? is almost here! ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Giving Day 2025 kicks off at noon on Tuesday, April 1 through noon on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Join the Race to 4,500 donors early, before April 2 with a gift to an area that you are passionate about.
Join your fellow Ospreys for ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ’s first “football” game when the Jacksonville Sharks play as the North Florida Ospreys against the Massachusetts Pirates on Saturday, April 19 in VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
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Join your colleagues and friends at the final Faculty and Staff Mixer of the spring 2025 semester on Thursday, April 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Talon Room. Come out and fellowship with fellow Ospreys while enjoying complimentary food and beverages.
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